Once again I must take a moment and thank you all for the wonderful comments :)

Enjoy.

Chapter 7

The blade slid swiftly across my back. My grip on my weapon faltered only for a moment. Blood dripped instantly, but my wound healed equally as fast. My breathing was faster than I knew it should have been. I should have trained harder.

"Makoto, you leave your right side exposed." My father stood towering over me. Even for a Jovian, he was a giant.

"I'm sorry, father."

He smiled. "Never apologize, just remember that an enemy rarely shows mercy. You are lucky to have Jove's blessing, but why are you holding back? Do you think you can't beat me?"

I straightened my back. "It's not that."

"Oh?"

I turned. "I don't want to hurt you."

He twirled his blade between his fingers. "Mako, you won't hurt me."

"And what if I do?"

He walked forward. "Then a little blood will be spilled. If you do not practice to your highest level then how do you expect to get better?"

"But-"

"You do not complain when your blood is spilled so do not hesitate to spill mine."

Metal footsteps rushed forward. "Your highness, we have gotten word that the northern mountains have fallen."

My eyes widened as I looked to the soldier. "Mother..."

My father nodded. "Send the auxiliary to the western forest. Any survivors will have regrouped there."

As the soldier left I turned to the mountain side. "She'll come back, right?"

It was at that moment that I felt a hand on my shoulder. "If there is one thing that I have learned, it is that the Queen of Jupiter is not easily killed. We shouldn't worry about her."

"This war... we're all Jovians... We shouldn't be fighting each other."

"Even if there was no war I would still teach you to wield a sword. Life is not as simple as black and white. It is better to be prepared for anything."

I stepped forward. Perhaps he was right. The evidence was certainly there. My skin possessed many streaks of dried blood. Peace, is that what we're really striving for? My father readied himself. I heard his weight shift over the gravel. His sword flew towards my back and I turned to meet his strike. I saw red that day, but for the first time in my life the blood that fell was not mine.

Middle school seems so far back. I remember feeling like an outsider being judged on my appearance. Now is no different. It's been so long since I've been able to breathe. I would be lying if I said that this place is my home. Earth is not Jupiter. I have had two seperate lives on both planets. The truth is simple, I don't think I can stay here when this is all over.

"Is this all the men?"

Nephrite closes his eyes. "Kunzite is still searching the main palace, but this will probably be it."

There's no more than a hundred men in front of me. "This isn't even close to being enough."

"If there is any militia outside of the barrier, then they will have gathered at Hikawa."

I nod slowly. "That is assuming they lived long enough to carry out emergency procedures. There must still be people out there as well. It's probably anarchy behind that wall. Take what men we have here and-"

"Lita?" Rini stands at the doorway with Luna P resting firmly in her hands. There's no smile on her face. Her eyes are red. She must have been crying.

"Princess."

She takes a small step forward. "I knew you would come back."

I walk towards her. "Did you now?"

She nods. "Pluto said you would."

Pluto? I thought she would be at the gates. "She has too much faith in me."

Her eyes wander up and down my armor. "Why are you dressed like that?"

I smile and kneel down to her level. "Because there's something that I have to do for the others."

"What is that?"

I bow my head. "You're too young to understand, but when you're older I'll have someone explain it to you, alright?"

She frowns. "I can help too you know. No one believes me. Not even mama."

At that moment Mercury appears in the doorway. She looks less than pleased. "Princess, why must you insist on..."

Our eyes meet for a mere second before Jadeite walks in. "Mercury, are you alright?"

She doesn't say anything at first. It was probably common knowledge that I was here, but she still looks as if she has seen a ghost. "Of course."

I'm the first to break eye contact. "Princess. Do you know how you can help?"

She shakes her head. "No."

I smile. "Morale."

"What's that?"

I put my hand on her shoulder. "It's how people feel at a certain time. If you can give them hope then they'll fight harder and believe in our victory."

Her eyes widen. "But how do I do that?"

"I'm sure you'll find a way."

Nephrite approaches. "Just make people smile."

"I can do that!" And just like that she runs over to Jadeite and proceeds to make funny faces.

I turn to Nephrite. "Thanks."

He smiles. "She's a cute kid."

I nod. "And the future of this kingdom."

"Jupiter." That is Mercury. She stands with her arms crossed.

"Yes."

She steps forward. "What are you doing?"

"I'm doing what Serenity should have."

"Doesn't look like it from where I'm standing."

Bang.

Both of us stop in our tracks. The barrier is seizing around us. Jadeite grabs Rini and pulls her inside. That is when I see Wiseman floating in the sky. "Nephrite, do you see him?"

He turns. "Who?"

I understand now. The thunder echoes over our heads as I start walking towards the barrier.

"Jupiter?"

I look to Mercury. "You should stay with Serenity. Nephrite will go with you."

Nephrite steps forward. "Makoto, is something wrong."

I close my eyes. "No, I don't think so."

Mercury and Nephrite exchange brief words while my attention remains elsewhere. I don't sense any droids or other members of the Black Moon. This is strange, but for now I will humour the situation and see how this plays out.

I wait for a moment to pass before I start out towards my enemy. The thunder continues to bellow in the distance. It's like this until I walk alone and reach the edge where the barrier meets the ground. Wiseman descends just like I knew he would. His face rests obscured by his hood, but those eyes. They seem so familiar.

"Queen Makoto, the last living Jovian. It is an honour to see you again."

I step forward. "You seem to know me, but I am not sure that I know you."

"Of course you do, but we were both young when we last met."

"I'm afraid I don't recall."

He chuckles. "That's a shame."

I nod. "Why are you here?"

"Because I can be."

I shake my head. "Every action has a reason."

"Then let's say that this is for my own amusement."

My fingers roll into fists. "I don't have time for these games. If you are not here to oppose Neo-Queen Serenity and her senshi then I suggest you leave."

He bows slightly. "Your words lack sincerity."

"And yours lack purpose."

Our eyes meet in a steady gaze. His tone shifts. "Fine then. Would you rather me play the villain?"

I step forward. "We are all villains in our own way."

He nods. "It seems you haven't lost your wisdom over the centuries. If you believe that then you must know that the people of Nemesis deserve their revenge."

"Not in this way. Fighting the senshi will not solve anything. If you lived during the Silver Millennium then you must know that no one wins after war."

"The peace in the Silver Millennium was a farce and you know it. Don't try to educate me on the ways of war. I am well aware. When everyone revolted, the truths of the monarchies came out. Metalia showed me the flaws. That is why I did what I did."

I nod. "Metalia is gone. Does that mean nothing to you?"

He steps back. "It just means that I will have to obtain what she promised by myself."

"This is getting us nowhere. Leave before I make you."

He points to the left side of my face. "Your temper is still as fiery as ever. Even to this day you still where my mark. I'm so glad that you aren't weak like the others. I will enjoy regaining my honour and avenging my past life. I wonder if you'll squeel like your mother."

"Damn you." I reach back for my swords, but he jumps back and ascends into the sky.

"I'm a little more... leveled headed this time around. I won't be beaten so easily. That, I promise."

I have no choice but to watch as he fades in front of me. The barrier surges once more. It won't last another day. Wiseman, so we have met before. I didn't think much of him back then. Perhaps that is what gives him his power now. Too many questions are going unanswered. Was he reborn just like we were or is there something else here that I'm failing to see? I don't like this at all.

Luna and Artemis haven't said one word to me since I lost my ability to transform. I'm surprised. In a way I expected an onslaught of questions that never came. Now that I stand here in this disillusioned place, there is only one explanation. They must remember something.

My footsteps echo through the halls. Time is not on our side nor do I think it will be when this is all over. This isn't like before. This battle is so much more than life or death. If anyone understands that then we will have a chance.

"I need to speak with you two."

Cats, I remember when I saw both of them like this so many years ago. I was shocked to say the least, but not anymore. "Jupiter."

I sigh. "You look like you have seen a ghost."

Artemis steps back. "Not a ghost. A forgotten memory."

I nod. "This battle will be too much for the others if they stay hiding behind that wall. As Serenity's advisors I was hoping that you could convince her to take action."

Luna turns. "You know how she is. Her will to act only comes when there is no alternative."

"Then Crystal Tokyo will fall to dust."

Artemis looks up. "We have spoken to her, and all the senshi. You must understand that seeing you like this, makes them doubt everything that has happened over the last century. You changed so quickly."

I kneel down. "Do either of you remember the end of days?"

Luna is the first to look away. "Only pieces."

"I need to know what you remember."

Artemis sighs. "I don't know why I didn't see it before."

"What?"

He bows. "That you aren't human anymore."

Luna cuts in. "It's not a bad thing though. We should have known the moment you came back from fighting Rubeus."

Artemis turns towards the hall. "The others are worried about you."

I close my eyes. "It doesn't matter."

"How can you say that?"

I touch the ground. "I want to care about the last thousand years that we fought together, but the thousand years before that is like a shadow of memories. I have a feeling that I'll be fighting this war by myself."

"Jupiter..."

I stand. "I want you to tell the others of the end of days. It's alright if you don't remember it all. They just need to understand why everything has changed."

Luna looks to Artemis. "We promised Queen Serenity-"

"Queen Serenity did not make the best decisions." And with those words I continue on without looking back.

"Makoto, please let me go with you."

I pause. "No, you need to take what men are here and fortify the tower to the best of your ability. The senshi will protect Serenity, but I need you to look after Saturn."

He turns. "I can help you."

I nod. "Then do so, here."

"Mako-"

"This isn't up for discussion." I suddenly realize that my voice was louder than I had anticipated. He just stands there. I'm not sure if he wants to say anything else, but he doesn't.

"It's just... dangerous. You shouldn't go alone."

I close my eyes. "All hell is going to break loose soon."

"We should be searching for Endymion."

My fists start to shake. "Endymion might very well be dead. He should not be the priority."

He looks as if I had just slapped him across the face. There's the tug in the back of my mind that is telling me to apologize, but I push the thought away. I'm sure that the minimal chance of Endymion's survival has already crossed his mind.

"You're needed here." I walk forward without looking at him again.

"Please... just be careful."

I almost stop right there. Somehow I was expecting a harsh reply. My steps quicken, past the garden, past the balcony where Kunzite stands, and past broken palace gate. The barrier flickers again. The enemy would have to be dumb not to notice the potential weakness. Energy pulses over the surface of my armor. I place my hand on the edge of the barrier and concentrate.

"Lita."

I almost don't hear it at first. The barrier separates beneath my fingers. "You should be with Serenity."

The clicking of short heels fills my ears. "I'm coming with you."

"No, you're not."

She's beside me now. "You're not talking me out of this."

"Mina..." I reach to grab her, but she has already stepped through. I have no choice, but to follow. The barrier is hard to keep open.

Jupiter is the gateway between the inner and outer rims. The last planet before the belt when heading towards the sun. It was an Empire that would have rivaled the power of the Silver Alliance. No longer. I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if the Empire never dispersed.

My swords were resting loose in my hands. It was all so calm beneath he moonlight. My opponent lunged forward with little balance. I allowed his strike to graze my arm as I spun, dropped my weapons, and took him to the ground. Father would have scolded me for discarding my advantage, but Lunar soldiers are not like Jovians. Fighting them on equal ground would not be fair.

He struggled beneath my weight. In the distance I heard the sound of an arrow adding tension to a bow. I abandoned my position, allowing my opponent to stand. Two arrows flew just left to my face. I pressed my fists together and summoned Jove's lightning to my hands. My opponent hesitated, giving me time to circle, before he slashed towards my knee.

"Your eyes shouldn't follow your sword."

He staggered as my fist knocked his helmet to the ground. The bows are ready again. I can hear it in the distance.

"That's enough for now."

I turned and bowed to the Queen. "Your majesty."

Queen Serenity stood with a look of satisfaction on her face. "Makoto, I'm glad to see that you're training hard."

I nodded. "I wouldn't dream of stopping."

She motioned to the soldier. "I apologize if my guards are not enough of a challenge."

"I believe I can manage, your highness. At least until the other princesses are old enough to become senshi."

It was that moment when I notice the girl standing beside her. She must have been a couple years younger than I was, and yet her blue eyes emitted a confidence that I knew all too well.

"You have a talent for coincidence, Makoto. I wanted to introduce you to Princess Minako of Venus. She is to become a senshi for my daughter."

Venus, then she is to become the leader. "It is nice to meet you." I offered my hand, but she never took it.

"So you must be Jupiter."

Queen Serenity smiled. "Well, I will leave you two to get better acquainted. Artemis has scheduled senshi training tomorrow."

We both bowed as she left. Minako, from that moment on I knew that we would clash. As far as personalities go, we were polar opposites.

And now here we stand over two thousand years later. Her eyes are still the same, and yet they feel different. She looks at me then turns to the city. "So where are we going?"

I sigh. "Hikawa."

She nods. "Then let's go."